In 2002 the rate of reported AIDS cases in the District of Columbia was 162.4 per 100,000 compared to 14.8 per 100,000 for the United States. One study of larger cities (500,000 or more), showed DC to have the highest rate of AIDS in the country for 2001! If we truly are in a public health epidemic with sexually transmitted diseased such as HIV and Hepatitis, we must approach this from a harm reduction or public health approach to really make an impact. Some people simply ARE going to mood-alter. Should we continue to demand abstinence as the only approach or do we consider empirical based harm reduction strategies that work? Remember clients “vote with their feet.” Clients using harm reduction goals in their treatment tend to come to their appointments! Come learn about approaches to “hard to reach populations” such as HIV/Hepatitis. We will explore the 12-Steps and we will explore harm reduction—is there a “middle ground?” This workshop is interactive and promises to leave you with some fresh and thought provoking ideas about how to reach your clients!

Registration is online at www.hrpi.org (click under CEU’s and place in “Cart”)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has plagued thousands since September 11. Many do not seek treatment but instead “numb out” with dissociation, substances, compulsive behaviors and a myriad of somatic complaints. “The annual number of new users of pain relievers has grown since the mid-1980’s from about 400,000 initiates to 2 million in 2000 (NHSDA, 2003).” This training is an honest endeavor to recognize how hard it really is to reach PTSD clients. Topics such as: our own “activation”, counter-transference and burn-out will be discussed. Some of the major theorist in the trauma field will be explored: Briere, Linehan, Shapiro and others. This is not meant to be another didactic overview but an honest endeavor by all in attendance of how difficult working with PTSD and those with minimal distress tolerance regulation skills can be. The target goal is learning some eclectic strategies to both “reduce client as well as therapist harm.”

Registration is online at www.hrpi.org (click under CEU’s and place in “Cart”)

Once known as “dual diagnosis” we quickly discovered that most seeking treatment have more than two DSM-IV-TR diagnoses—we now refer to these as “co-occurring disorders.” In people’s effort to “self-medicate” pain reliever use has sky-rocketed and mood-altering with illegal substances also continues—nearly 10 years ago, a full 79 million Americans had used illegal drugs, primarily marijuana, at least once in their lifetime—mental health concerns aside, we ARE a mood-altering society. Some people simply ARE going to use and at times abuse substances and alcohol—very often these same individuals struggle with mental health concerns as well. Too often they have been asked to “leave and come back when they are “abstinent from substances” or “leave and come back when their mental health issues are addressed.” The focus of this training is to give participants strategies to treat clients that have multiple diagnoses and are not responding to traditional approaches of abstinence. Focus will be on common disorders such as depression, anxiety, anti-social personality disorder as well as borderline personality disorder. Participants will practice writing harm reduction treatment plans as well as other interactive group exercises.

Registration is online at www.hrpi.org (click under CEU’s and place in “Cart”)

Or register by phone: (202) 543-6767 or (202) 669-4413

Or fax the form below with the information requested to (202) 543-6689

“From Heroin to ‘Ecstasy’” The Pharmacology of Alcohol and Other Drugs - A Harm Reduction Perspective

Date: To Be Determined

Location: To Be Determined

A comprehensive overview of psycho-active substances and mood-altering from before the time of Christ. This multi-media presentation will utilize Power Point, films, live interviews as well as an interactive CD-Rom. Participants will learn about every class of substance from heroin, “analog”/dance/party drugs to commonly abused prescriptives and synthetics. A harm reduction and public health perspective will root this undertaking and promises to leave group members with a thorough understanding of all classes of substances.

Registration is online at www.hrpi.org (click under CEU’s and place in “Cart”)

Or register by phone: (202) 543-6767 or (202) 669-4413

Or fax the form below with the information requested to (202) 543-6689

“Crystal Meth, Tina “Party and Play” The Growing Use of Methamphetamine Harm Reduction Strategies that Work!

Date: To Be Determined

Location: To Be Determined

Crystal Methamphetamine or MDA use is on the rise. Use in WWII with Nazi German soldiers use, Japanese Kamakaze’s, 1950’s benzadrine inhalers, the 1960’s use to explore consciousness—today this drug is quickly becoming one likened to cocaine in the 1980’s and “crack” of the 1990’s. Come explore in this workshop not only the pharmacology and its effect on brain, body-chemistry but also the "Set and Setting" of its use—that appears to be ever-changing. Participants will learn interactive ways to work with their clients that are using methamphetamines and some harm reduction strategies that can be effective. This will be a very interesting and interactive training. A guest speaker will describe his struggles with crystal methamphetamine and some things that were helpful to him. We will also have a representative from the DC Police Dept and other guests.

Registration is online at www.hrpi.org (click under CEU’s and place in “Cart”)

Or register by phone: (202) 543-6767 or (202) 669-4413

Or fax the form below with the information requested to (202) 543-6689

Cost: $75 (early registration-before August 19) After August 19 is $80.

“Buprenorphine New Hope for Heroin/Opiate Dependence” Alternatives to Methadone and Agonist Therapy

Date: To Be Determined

Location: To Be Determined

Many opiate addicted clients, whether heroin, pain killers or synthetics can benefit from a medical detox from from all opiates through a relatively new prescription called “Buprenorphine.” Also helpful is maintenance therapy for those that are not yet ready or willing to detox from all opiates. Buprenorphine offers an alternative to methadone agonist therapy and is showing some promising results reported by those that have switched to this maintenance therapy. Most often reported is “I don’t have to come to a clinic everyday and can be more trusted with my medication at home.” Some also say they really feel empowered that they can pick up their “medicine” from their private doctor and not have the stigma of “being seen at a public clinic on a regular basis.” This training is a entry level training for those wishing to understand more about possible options for their opiate dependent clients (including those already on methadone). It will review the history of opiates within the context of our culture, setting the stage for some exciting possibilities—a new choice for people that have “fallen through the cracks” with other approaches to opiate cessation. Participants will receive an information packet on how to speak to medical professionals about this medication that includes: dosing suggestions, what to look for and criteria for participation. It is hoped that a Buprenorphine client will share their personal story about use of Buprenorphine and answer any questions from a consumer’s point of view. Free lunch is served and a representative from the pharmaceutical company will be on site to answer any further questions.

Registration is online at www.hrpi.org (click under CEU’s and place in “Cart”)

Or register by phone: (202) 543-6767 or (202) 669-4413

Or fax the form below with the information requested to (202) 543-6689

Cost: $75 (early registration-before September 5) After September 5 is $80.